Weathering the Storm

Different locations in the United States are more likely to experience certain kinds of severe weather. Kansas is known for our tornadoes and very hot temperatures but other states are known for their earthquakes, mudslides, and blizzards.

How do you weather the storm of grief? What can you do when the waves of sorrow threaten to pull you under? You can begin by trying to identify when grief is triggered.
Perhaps it is a specific time of day or a particular season or holiday. A wave of grief may come because your child would have been returning to school this month or a local disaster in which people were killed may have reminded you of the death of your own family member and how hard it has been to cope. Perhaps you heard a song on the radio or at church that reminds you of your loved one. When you have identified
specific times that are more difficult, then you can begin to plan activities you know will be comforting. Friends and family can be very helpful but you may need to let them know how to best help you. If you anticipate being alone on a difficult day make plans as to what you will do. Those plans could include setting aside a specific amount of time to cry, or spending some time writing about your grief, or reflecting on how you are doing and how far you have come.

Utilize rituals. The rituals should give you comfort rather than add stress. Comforting rituals may be associated with your faith, culture, or your daily routine. They can be as simple as having a favorite food or watching a favorite movie. You can even choose to create new rituals as a way to celebrate surviving the storm.

The storms of grief make healing difficult but strength comes with each storm that has been endured. You will find renewed hope in your ability to weather the storm.

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